Photos: Memorable presidential debate moments

CaptionKennedy vs. Nixon

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The first nationally televised debate in 1960 set the precedent for all presidential debates to come, pitting the photogenic John F. Kennedy against the visibly run-down Richard Nixon. Though radio listeners famously ruled that Nixon won the debates, the 70 million viewers who saw the debates on TV thought that Kennedy won out over the weary, recently hospitalized Nixon. The debates played such a prominent role in Nixon's eventual loss that it wouldn't be until 1976 that presidential candidates would agree to another televised debate. (Los Angeles Times)

The first nationally televised debate in 1960 set the precedent for all presidential debates to come, pitting the photogenic John F. Kennedy against the visibly run-down Richard Nixon. Though radio listeners famously ruled that Nixon won the debates, the 70 million viewers who saw the debates on TV thought that Kennedy won out over the weary, recently hospitalized Nixon. The debates played such a prominent role in Nixon's eventual loss that it wouldn't be until 1976 that presidential candidates would agree to another televised debate. (Los Angeles Times) (Getty Images)

President Ford faced off against Jimmy Carter in 1976, hoping to catch up to the Democratic challenger's wide lead in the polls, only to shoot himself in the foot on foreign policy, declaring, "There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe," a statement that surprised voters and Eastern Europeans alike. Moderator Max Frankel's reaction "I'm sorry, what?" perfectly summed up Ford's stumble. (Los Angeles Times)

President Ford faced off against Jimmy Carter in 1976, hoping to catch up to the Democratic challenger's wide lead in the polls, only to shoot himself in the foot on foreign policy, declaring, "There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe," a statement that surprised voters and Eastern Europeans alike. Moderator Max Frankel's reaction "I'm sorry, what?" perfectly summed up Ford's stumble. (Los Angeles Times) (Getty Images)